Shortly after this the doctor took his leave, and Mrs. Rose, with a sorely burdened heart, watched beside her darling. It was the first anxiety she had known in connection with her children.
From their babyhood upwards, save for slight childish ailments, their health had hitherto been robust, a fact which their bright eyes and bonny looks had testified.
Voiceless prayers went up from her heart as she bent over her unconscious child.
"Oh, God!" she pleaded. "Spare me my little Elsie, my baby girl, for I cannot live without her."
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[CHAPTER IX]
SIR MATTHEW'S PENITENCE
"FATHER, I'm going to Linwell!"
"Gracious, Matthew, you must be mad! You haven't taken a railway journey for months; and besides, whatever do you want to go there for?"
A look of irritability came across the old man's face as he spoke these words. Somehow of late he had been in the habit of giving up his will occasionally to his sole remaining son.